We’ve all been there. You land a job you actually like, and then you discover the real challenge isn’t the work — it’s the people on the back end trying to trip you up. Usually, they’re younger, louder, and twice as confident as they are competent. You know the type: eager to “fix” what’s not broken, make mountains out of paperwork molehills, and accidentally make your job harder just by showing up.

The truth? Every workplace has them. And while they may act like they’re running the show, here’s what experience teaches you: they’re not your problem. They’re just noise.

The Generational Divide at Work

Younger employees often come in with shiny degrees, buzzwords, and an “I know it all” attitude. But what they don’t have is mileage. They haven’t had to carry a company through a crisis, pick up the slack when others failed, or navigate real-world politics. That’s where experience (and maybe a little Southern wit) makes all the difference.

They may be “young dumb bitches” today, but give them time — life has a way of humbling everybody. Until then, you do what you’ve always done: handle your work with skill, humor, and a little side-eye when necessary.

Protecting Your Peace (and Your Job)

If you like your job, don’t let the background noise push you out. A few survival strategies:

• Stay professional in writing. Never give them ammo in emails or messages. Be warm but firm.
• Set boundaries. Just because someone dumps chaos in your lap doesn’t mean you have to carry it.
• Laugh it off. Sometimes the only way to survive the nonsense is to turn it into a funny story later (or a blog post like this one 😉).
• Remember the long game. Companies keep the ones who deliver, not the ones who distract.

At the end of the day, competence outshines drama every single time.

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About the Author

A.L. Childers is a Southern-born writer, researcher, and truth-teller who blends humor, grit, and real-life wisdom into everything she writes. From health struggles to workplace battles, she turns hard-earned lessons into stories that resonate.

Her books include:

• The Hidden Empire: A Journey Through Millennia of Oligarchic Rule
• Silent Chains: Breaking Free from Conformity and Injustice
• Roots to Health
• The Quantum Leap: Habits That Reshape Your Reality

…and many more, available on Amazon.

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Disclaimer

This blog is for entertainment and educational purposes only. It’s not intended as professional, legal, or HR advice. Names and situations have been generalized to protect everyone involved. If you see yourself in this post, well… maybe that’s a sign to do better.